Air-compressor.



D. R. ALLARD. AIR COMPRESSOR.

APPLIOATIQN FILED MAY 6, 1909.

Patented June 7, 1910.

WITNESSES WW ATTORNEYS ANDREW a. GRAHAM 00.. PNOYOUNDGRAFHERS.WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED ETATEE PATENT @FFIEE.

DAVID R. ALLARD, OF ARLETA, GREGSN.

AIR-COMPRESSOR.

Application filed May 6, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID R. Armani), a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Arleta, in the county of Multnomah and State ofOregon, have made certain new and useful Improvements inAir-Compressors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for compressing air by water power andit consists in the constructions, combinations and arrangements hereindescribed and claimed.

The main object of my invention is to provide means by which the forceof the waves of the sea or other body of water maybe used to bestadvantage for compressing air.

A further object of my invention is to' provide a comparatively simpleform of apparatus for accomplishing the above named object.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specificationand the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claim.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure1 is a perspective view partly in section showing one embodiment of myinvention. ing the detail construction ofthe operating parts and Fig. 3is a detail View showing the construction of the valves.

In carrying out my invention I select a site for the location of theapparatus which is preferably a clifi such as that shown at A, on theshore of the ocean B or other body of water in which there is aconsiderable wave motion. At a convenient place near the wa ters edge, Iconstruct a frame C in which are located a series of cells D such asthose shown in Fig. 2. These cells may be made of any material and arepreferably of the shape shown in the figure. The cells are arranged intiers in order to take advantage of the rise and fall of the tide aswill be hereinafter explained.

From the rear end (Z of each cell, there extends a pipe E having areduced diameter. All of the pipes E communicate with a common header Fas shown in Fig. 2. Located in the pipes E are the air inlet valves G.lVhile these may be of any approved form, the form shown in Fig. 3 ispreferable. In this figure the valve G is controlled by a Specificationof Letters Patent.

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view show- Patented June *7, 1910.

Serial No. 494,407.

spring S and is normally seated, being open only when the air pressureon the outside of the 'alve becomes greater than that on the inside. Thepipe E between the valve G and the header F is also provided with avalve H which opens only toward the header when the pressure in the pipeE is greater than in the pipe F. A pipe K leads from the header directlyinto the air storage tank L and is provided with a valve M similar tothe valves H in the pipes E.

From the foregoing description of the various parts, the operation maybe readily understood. The device is placed where the waves will rushinto the mouths of the cells I). The tremendous force of the oncomingwave traps the air of the cells and drives it upward through the pipesE. As the pressure in these pipes increases, the valve H will openallowing this increased pressure to be communicated to the header. F..Vhen the pressure in this header becomes high enough, the valve M willbe unseated and the pressure will be transmitted to the air in thestorage tank L thereby compressing the latter. Each set of cells willact in the same manner and the pressure in the air tank L will rise to aconsiderable degree. hen the wave begins to recede the withdrawal of thewater from the front part of the cells will cause a vacuum. The valves Gwill then open and allow the air to enter behind the water, while thevalves H and M will remain closed.

The construction of the cells in different horizontal planes provides adevice in which the waves at high tide or low tide may be equallyeffective in compressing the air.

It will be noted that the same action will take place from the rise andfall of the tide well as from the force of waves and hence the inventioncontemplates a tide power device as well as a wave power device.

The compressed air in the tank L may be used for any purpose to whichcompressed air is applicable.

I am aware that other forms of the de- Vice based upon the same generalprinciple, might be made, but I consider as my own all suchmodifications as fairly fall within the spirit and the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

In an air compressor, a casing provided with a series of cells, each ofsaid cells having an open end directly facing a body of i taining theair in said air tank, and other Water and being provided. with a rearporvalves for permitting the entrance of air tion above the level of thefront portion, into said cells. all of said cells being arranged to besubjected to the Waves of said body of Water, Witnesses:

- DAVID R. ALLARD.

air pipes connecting said air cells, with a CLARENCE E. HALE, common antank, valves 1n sald plpe i01- re- J. R. DOUGLASS.

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